International

Visa Information

We are here to help you with your visas: Tier 4 (General) Student VISA and Tier 1 (Post-Study Work) VISA applications. If you have any questions or issues with your visa, please contact the ISSS team or attend one of our drop-in sessions for assistance.

Visa Application Process

You should begin the process of extending your student visa at least 6 weeks before your expiry date.

To get a form you will need to see an adviser at a drop-in session or by appointment. Forms will no longer be available from M111 without seeing an advisor first. Alternatively you can download and print a copy from UKBA website. Please ensure you have the most current and up to date version of the form.

To submit your visa application you should book an appointment with an adviser by contacting isss@gcu.ac.uk. You should bring your completed form, passport, photographs, payment and all other ORIGINAL required documents for your visa application to your allocated appointment time. You should ensure that you have a clear colour copy of your passport and visa documents at least.

Posting your application to the UK Border Agency will be your responsibility for all non-Tier 4 student applications. We will send Tier 4 visa applications to the Home Office by recorded delivery. For all other applications, we will check, copy, record and package your documents and then return it to you with instructions for secure posting.

Getting your visa/documents back can take approximately 8-10 weeks. The UK Border Agency visa processing time depends on the type of visa you are applying for. At peak times of the year, the process can take longer. If it has been longer than 10 weeks, please email isss@gcu.uk for an update on your application. If you have processed your visa through ISSS, your documents will be returned to us. However if you do receive your document at your home address, it is your responsibility to notify us and bring in your visa to allow us to update our record. Once your passport/documents arrives in our office, we will contact you by phone the same day (or email if we cannot reach you on your mobile phone).

Visa Refusals

If your visa application is refused it is your obligation to notify ISSS immediately.

Acknowledgement and Biometric Letters

We will contact you by email to inform you when your acknowledgement letter and biometric letter has arrived. You can collect this from M111.

Booking a Biometric Appointment: You will need to go to a participating Post Office to give your fingerprints. Click here to see a full list of UK Post Offices.
April 2012 : Glasgow, St Vincent Street Post Office is now open for Biometric enrolment.

Attending a UK Border Agency Public Enquiry Office (PEO) appointment

If you would like your documents back quickly, or you have been advised to, you should book an in-person appointment at the UK Border Agency. Call the UK Border Agency on 0870 606 7766 to arrange an appointment. The only PEO in Scotland is in Glasgow. You should take all your documents to the appointment with you, plus a copy of your documents. We can still assist you with this process - please ensure you see us in advance of you appointment. We will check, copy and package your application for you.

Please note: The Public Enquiry Office (PEO) will not accept CASH as a method of payment. You can also pay by debit/credit card, postal orders or banker's draft.

Maintenance

We strongly advise all students to maintain the balance in their bank account as required from your visa application until you receieve the UK Border Agency decision back.

Visa Deadline

If you submit your visa application to ISSS after the ISSS Visa Deadline date, you will be required to post your application yourself.

ISSS will continue to check, copy, process and package all your documents but unfortunately we no longer able to post it for you. It will be your responsibility if you submit your visa application after the visa deadline date.

Applying for your visa in person in the UK - Public Enquiry Office

If you would like to make your visa application in person, you will need to make an appointment with the Public Enquiry Office. You can phone them on the number below or use their online booking service.

UK Border Agency advice (March 2010) about applying in person:

"Those who wish to apply in person should note that the date of their application is the date they go to the public enquiry office. Applicants should consider this when they book an appointment."

Please note that this premium service will cost you more than a postal application.

• Phone: 0870 606 7766
• Online: click here [UKBA]

For information Applying in person at a public enquiry office [UKBA] click here

Payment for Visa Application

You can pay by Postal Orders (available from Post Office), Banker's Draft (available from the Bank) and a personal cheque. All should be made out to 'HOME OFFICE'.

A helpful tutorial on how to write a cheque: click here (Money Matters To Me Website)

Photograph Guidance

UKBA Home Office guidance on photographs to be used for visa applications: click here.

Calculating Overseas Money

You will have to translate your currency into pounds sterling if you are using overseas currency. The Home Office recommend you use OANDA.

Police Registration Certificate

If you have a Police Registration Certificate, please ensure this is up-to-date.

If you are making an application for a visa, it is vital that this is up-to-date. If you are travelling over vacation period , you will also need to ensure that your certificate is up to date with your current course of study, institute of study and term time address (Glasgow).

This does not apply to every student; only those who have to register with the police within 7 days of arrival as stated in your passport (entry clearance visa). ISSS can check your passport for you.

Valid Passport

Your passport only needs to be valid when applying for a VISA. However it is advisable to apply for a new passport and then apply for your VISA. You may be asked at point of arrival if there is less than 6 months left on your passport when you enter the UK.

Working Under Tier 4 Visa Category

For information, click here.

Guidelines for completing visa applications

• Complete the form using BLACK INK and in CAPITAL LETTERS
• DO NOT use staples to attach your photograph (We will supply an envelope)
• DO NOT use correction fluid or tipex - you will need to print out that page again and replace the page in your application form (We can assist you with this when we check your forms)
• No debit/credit cards will be accepted for payment of application fees.

UKCISA
You can contact UKCISA
From within the UK: 020 7107 9922
From outside the UK: +44 20 7107 9922

Opening times: Monday to Friday 1.00 - 4.00 pm (UK time)

Updated: 10 May, 2012 | International Student Support Service | Site Editor | Legal